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Published: 15 September 2020

It is a regulatory requirement to appoint an Aviation Security Service Provider with a license issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the provision and maintenance of Aviation Security Services at the civil airports in Sri Lanka.On successful completion of the certification process, conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Aviation Security Inspectorate under the leadership of Mr. P A Jayakantha (Deputy Director General Aviation Security Regulation) since the year 2015, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) was issued the Aviation Security Service Provider Licence, on the satisfactory demonstration to the Director General of Civil Aviation of their conformance to the applicable requirements, stipulated in terms of the provisions in the Civil Aviation Act. No. 14 of 2010.The AASL will continue to provide the aviation security services, in accordance with the approved Airport Security Programme in which they are authorized to provide Aviation Security Services at civil Airports in Sri Lanka, namely Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Colombo Airport Ratmalana, Batticaloa International Airport and Jaffna International Airport.
The Aviation Security Service Provider License was awarded to Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri (Chairman AASL) by Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama (DGCA and the Appropriate Authority for Aviation Security) at a simple reception, held on 08th September 2020 at CAASL headquarters, Katunayaka with the participation of Mr. Amitha Wijayasuriya (Vice Chairman CAASL), Mr. P A Jayakantha (Actg. Additional Director General CAASL) and Mr. Rajeewasiri Sooriyaarachchi (Vice Chairman AASL) together with senior officials of CAASL, AASL and Aviation Security stakeholders including State Security agencies and industry in attendance.

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Published: 07 September 2020

SriLankan Airlines recently carried out a survey amongst its FlySmiLes loyalty membership to capture how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their perceptions and sentiments on travel. This included top tiers of Platinum, Gold, Classic & Silver tier co-branded credit card holders.
The survey collated feedback from over 5,500 passengers within a period of 3 weeks.    Over 53% were Silver Tier members with nearly 39% of all participants being Classic Tier members.
The geographical spread of the survey respondents consisted of Sri Lanka (42.3%), South Asia (22%), Europe (20%), South Pacific (4.5%), Maldives (4%), North America (3.2%), Far East (2%) & Japan & Korea (0.9%).

It is encouraging news for SriLankan Airlines and the travel trade in Sri Lanka to note that 75% of travelers are optimistic of commencing travel within 03 months post pandemic after the government restrictions on COVID-19 travel are lifted.  The majority of passengers stated they would be reassured if social distancing was enforced whilst travelling. 
The National Carrier’s priority is the safety of their passengers and employees.  A range of additional measures has been enforced to offer COVID-19 preventive services at the airport and on-board SriLankan flights.  These practices include thorough cleaning practices at ticket offices, check-in, boarding gates and on-board.  Social distancing is followed wherever possible, and masks are to be worn.

The airline carries out health questionnaires before a passenger checks – in and temperature checks are done with the help of the Airport & Aviation Authorities of Sri Lanka.  All staff attending to passengers will be geared with face masks, gloves, protective apron and face shield.

SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew have been trained to provide high levels of service, whilst minimizing contact to reduce the spread of the virus. Flights have been segregated as high, medium, and low risk based on the end destination and necessary personal protective equipment is provided to the crew dependent on risk category.
Every crew member goes through a quarantine period of 07 days with PCR tests carried out post operating repatriation flights or when they have an overseas layover more than 48 hours. On flights operating with layovers the crew will be accommodated in a SriLankan Airlines approved hotel and will remain in their rooms, limiting social interactions.
Face masks are mandatory for the duration of a flight.  Meals are hygienically prepared and packed keeping to stringent safety requirements. 
There is also a quarantine zone and a demarcated toilet dedicated for any passenger who may feel unwell and such passengers will be taken care of by the local health authorities on arrival. 
To know more on which preventive measures are taken by SriLankan Airlines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on-board of its flights, visit www.srilankan.com. 

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Published: 09 September 2020

A stakeholder meeting was held on 7th September 2020 at BIA Air Cargo Village with the participation of Hon. D V Chanaka, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Export Zone Development, Major General (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri, Chairman AASL, Mr. Rajeewasiri Sooriyaarachchi, Vice Chairman-AASL, Mr.Aruna Warushahennadige, Director - AASL, Mr.Shehan Sumanasekara, Director - AASL, Ministry Officials, Senior Officials of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, Sri Lankan Airlines, Civil Aviation Authority (CAASL), BIA Cargo Handlers, Freight Forwarders and other BIA Stakeholders.                             

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the strategic direction of AASL for long term planning requirements for cargo expansion and development at BIA. The State Minister together with the senior management of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited elaborated on the strategic development plan of the upcoming Air Cargo Terminal at BIA.

Being strategically positioned in the Indian ocean between the commercial centers of the East and West, Airport & Aviation Services ( Sri Lanka) Limited provides 24/7 services at the Air Cargo terminal at BIA. Facilitating international trade, BIA provides cargo handling services with a capacity of 250,000 MT per annum and a dedicated, well-trained & qualified team. AASL is in the process of constructing a new cargo import terminal and cargo village gateway entrance building with state of the art facilities. Along with the expansion that is underway, the air cargo terminal will undoubtedly play a key role in supporting the needs and demands of the industry.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, BIA continues to support the exports as well imports and transshipments playing a key role in supporting the needs of the industry. Accordingly, BIA handled 46,974 MT of cargo during the period March to July 2020. Further, during the COVID-19 global pandemic situation, there is a significant growth of exporting perishable cargo from BIA to international markets.  

Addressing the gathering Minister discussed the pressing issues encountered by cargo handlers and freight forwarders at BIA and the chairman of AASL explained the new measures taken to strengthen the security aspects of all cargo export process.  

Furthermore, State Minister along with the officials had a site inspection to BIA cargo village & during the visit, the State Minister observed the facilities and key operational areas to be improved as immediate solutions to facilitate effective and efficient cargo moments at BIA.
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Published: 02 September 2020

A powerful delegation of ministers led by Hon Chamal Rajapaksha Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga Minister of Tourism, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. D. V. Chanaka, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Member of Parliament had an inspection visit to MRIA on 30th August 2020.

At the visit, ministers stated that the government would take every measure to develop Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and its initial ground plans were already prepared.

addressing the gathering Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa stated, with the opening of Mattala Airport and the Hambantota Port, the ultimate goal was to transform Hambantota into an aviation and shipping hub in South Asia.

The future development activities of the Mattala Airport were discussed at length and the focus was on developing the tourism industry in the future with a focus on Mattala Airport and exporting locally produced exports with new revenue generation models through Mattala Airport.

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